Irish Wanderer: July 2 through 3 (Days 22 through 23)

Day 22: Started off with a session of Irish History - I enjoy that class so much, seriously. And then, it was actually a beautiful, sunny day....I think the second in a row! July is looking up. So, during my break between classes, I decided to take advantage of it and go for a run. Running down the streets in Ireland....yeah, can you tell I'm still in shock, being here? So, I did that, picked up laundry detergent, showered, and went to Irish Society. Talked about gender equality. Much of it was at odds with my own thoughts/beliefs....always interesting to hear all perspectives.

After that, went to College Bar with half a dozen folks (still makes me laugh that they have a bar owned and operated by the college). Sat outside on the back patio - never realized it was right on the canal. Haven't been too intentional about exploring the outdoors until lately, though. : ) Yay for sunlight!

Hanging out behind College Bar.

By the canal (by the way, that dangerous "deep water"? about 2 feet deep).

Then it was on to a night in, (attempting) laundry (turns out you have to buy tokens at reception to do it, and reception was closed - yar), a bit of reading, a bit of television and talking with a few girls. Asleep by one or two. I'm so exciting, I know. : )

Day 23: Started off sunny again - amazing. Did my laundry bright and early this morning, and made it to class at ten. Society again, with the same prof as yesterday.

Lunch, then meandering into town for some shopping and just to walk outside in the sunshine. Also bought a scone and read some more of Dubliners....

Chilling between Oscar and Whatever-His-Brother's-Name-Is Wilde.

A harpist in front of a pub....so many musicians on these streets, playing anything from traditional Irish to "Sweet Home Alabama." Occasionally, they compromise between those two....like with U2 or something. : )

Eyre Square, at the center of town.

More Eyre Square - those banners have the names of clans who lived in the Galway area.

There are a ton of roundabouts here - this one, specifically, is one I cross multiple times a day, on my way into town. It also happens to be the place where I will most likely meet my demise.

See that dark car to the far right? That's the spot I cross the road. It is in that ten feet that I shall surely die. Cars coming from that side road in the distance to the right and cars coming around the circle can go speeding through here, but never use turn signals....and there are no lights....and yeah, I will die.

Then it was on to an IDS (interdisciplinary studies) seminar on "Sport and Nationalism," and then an Independence Day BBQ (a day early....in Ireland....yeah, lol). I still can't believe that this college not only has a bar, but actually buys us drinks on these occasions. Weird. Anyways, it was great to have a "real meal." Aka, I've been eating a lot of porridge and peanut butter sandwiches....which are foods I enjoy, but I kinda liked having meat, to be honest. (Irish beef tastes different than American beef, for the record.)

Meghan and I.